201. The Movie Every SLP and Special Educator Needs to See: 5 Hard Lessons on Parent Collaboration

If you work with parents of children with special needs, this episode is non-negotiable. Instead of diving into research, we’re heading straight into a film that delivers the kind of uncomfortable clarity our field rarely gets. Today, we break down If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You—Mary Bronstein’s raw, emotionally accurate look into the lived experience of parenting a neurodivergent child—and why every SLP, special educator, and early-intervention professional needs to watch it. This movie exposes a blind spot in our practice: how we show up for families. And more importantly, how often we get it wrong. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why judging parents instantly destroys trust • How our “professional persona” blocks genuine connection • The simple shift that makes parents feel heard instead of dismissed • When your “support” becomes a burden—and how to stop doing it • Why burnout in families is invisible until it explodes • How to rebuild capacity for parents and for yourself This is not a feel-good conversation. It’s a necessary recalibration for anyone who works with families navigating neurodivergence, chronic medical needs, and overwhelming daily demands. If you want to do better for the families you serve, start here. Feeling your own burnout creeping in? Stop white-knuckling it. The SIS Membership provides weekly, ready-to-use, universally designed literacy-movement activities that dramatically reduce your planning time while increasing engagement for every child on your caseload. Protect your capacity. Strengthen your practice. Join today at https://www.kellyvess.com/sis